Medicare Blog

when is medicare going to reimburse for mona lisa touch procedure

by Maryjane O'Reilly IV Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Full Answer

Is Mona Lisa touch covered by insurance or Medicare?

Mona Lisa Touch is NOT covered by insurance or Medicare. Mona Lisa Touch does not have a patient assistance program. The FDA has issued a serious warning letter to MonaLisa Touch. The FDA issued a safety alert that laser-based therapies have burned and scarred women.

What is a Mona Lisa laser treatment?

Hi Jemma, Mona Lisa laser treatment is a laser treatment for vaginal dryness, astrophic vaginitis and symtoms of estrogen deficiency particularly after menopause such as vaginal pain, vaginal itching, vaginal soreness, vaginal dryness.

How much does the Monalisa touch cost?

The MonaLisa Touch is $1,000 per treatment or $2,700 pre-paid. What are the pre-treatment and after treatment instructions? Pre-Treatment Instructions for MonaLisa Touch laser:

Is MonaLisa Touch covered by Medicare?

MonaLisa Touch is not currently covered by either Medicare or most Insurance. Initial treatment plan includes 3 treatments over 12 weeks and typically cost $1500 for the 3 treatments.

Why is Mona Lisa not covered by insurance?

While MonaLisa Touch fractional CO2 laser is approved for use, it is not the first line treatment. Estrogen has been approved for use for over 40 years and is considered the standard of care. There are no procedure codes for MonaLisa Touch and therefore not billable to insurance.

What is the average cost of the MonaLisa Touch?

How much does the Mona Lisa Touch cost? Currently the Mona Lisa Touch treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by many insurance plans, the average cost ranges from $650 to around $1000 per treatment.

What is the difference between ThermiVa and MonaLisa Touch?

The Differences ThermiVa uses heat; MonaLisa Touch uses a laser. ThermiVa's wand is more narrow than a finger, while MonaLisa Touch's laser is one inch in diameter. ThermiVa patients do not report any side effects; MonaLisa Touch patients have reported temporary redness, swelling and discomfort.

Who insures the Mona Lisa?

Although the Mona Lisa currently resides in the Louvre Museum in France, the painting has never been insured as it is considered priceless. Despite not being insured, the painting was once stolen in 1911 by an employee of the Louvre, Vincenzo Peruggia who carried the painting out under his smock .

How much is Mona Lisa insured for?

The highest known insurance valuation for a painting is $100million (£53.55 million) assessed for the move of The Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) by Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519, Italy) from the Louvre in Paris, France, to Washington, DC, USA and then New York City, New York, USA for a special exhibition 14 December 1962 to 12 ...

How many treatments are there for the MonaLisa Touch?

What Is the Mona Lisa Touch® Laser Treatment Process? A series of three to four laser sessions is required. The sessions, which are scheduled about six weeks apart, use an FDA-approved technology and take about five minutes to complete.

Does vaginal rejuvenation help with vaginal atrophy?

V-Lase is a non-surgical vaginal laser procedure used to rejuvenate the vaginal canal. V-Lase restores youthful thickness and moisture to the tissues. It can reduce vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, and mild involuntary bladder leakage. As a result, it also leads to enhanced sexual experience for many women.

What are the side effects of the MonaLisa Touch?

Are There Any Side Effects From The MonaLisa Touch TreatmentGeneral discomfort.Mild spotting or bleeding.Brown, pink, or watery vaginal discharge.Inflammation, redness, or swelling.Irritation, itching, tenderness, or a burning sensation with urination.

Does MonaLisa Touch tighten vagina?

The increased collagen production after MonaLisa Touch tightens your vaginal opening and surrounding tissues. Your vagina and vulvar tissues become thicker, more hydrated and more toned. MonaLisa Touch also stimulates more blood flow to your rejuvenated tissues, increasing sensation as well as lubrication.

What is the success rate of the MonaLisa Touch?

No serious adverse effects have been reported and the treatment success rate ranges from 85-94%. This was originally developed in Italy as a treatment for young breast cancer patients who were rendered menopausal by treatment.

Does the MonaLisa Touch help with incontinence?

The MonaLisa Touch treatment is effective in treating urinary incontinence. It stimulates blood flow to the affected areas, bringing healing and rejuvenation to the pelvic floor muscles, vaginal walls and urethra. Increased blood flow and better tissue tone reduces pain and leads to better urinary function.

How to pay for MonaLisa Touch

Unless you have an unlimited budget, the price of elective medical procedures is always a consideration. Will the benefit you receive be worth the cost? When it comes to MonaLisa Touch vaginal rejuvenation, 94% of women reporting on RealSelf say it is definitely “worth it!” Our own patients who have seen Dr. Elise Brown or Dr.

MonaLisa Touch Is a 3-Part Series of Treatments

To achieve optimal results, we perform MonaLisa Touch fractional laser treatment in three sessions, a few weeks apart. Incremental vaginal treatment is gentler and safer and produces more effective results long-term – and that’s what you want! We charge a single fee for the three-part series of treatments.

Will It Be Worth It?

It’s a simple matter of cost versus benefits. We noted above that the vast majority of women are beyond pleased with their results. Our patients tell us they feel comfortable, sexy, and self-confident again in their intimate relationships and as they go about their everyday life.

How the procedure works

We explain much of how the Mona Lisa Touch is performed in our FAQ, but to summarize, it’s a laser treatment which revitalizes cells in the vaginal tissue so that these cells produce more collagen. It’s delivered via a probe into the vaginal canal and targets surface and deep tissue with a two-part pulse.

The Pros

The benefits of the Mona Lisa Touch ultimately boil down to three points: it’s fast, it’s fairly painless, and results can be felt quickly.

The Cons

Of course, the Mona Lisa Touch isn’t a procedure free of any side effects or concerns, as with nearly any medical treatment. These are important to keep in mind when deciding whether to seek this treatment, as you may find that its benefits don’t outweigh the costs given your personal circumstances.

HSA fast facts

Health savings accounts (HSAs) were created as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, or MMA, signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 8, 2003. The MMA was the largest overhaul to Medicare in the program's history.

What about FSA and HRA eligibility?

The same HSA eligibility status for MonaLisa Touch applies to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) as well.

Disclaimer

This page is intended to be an educational reference only. Please check with your HSA administrator or health insurance provider to confirm if you can pay for MonaLisa Touch with your HSA card before making any purchases.

Do I need to be up-to-date on my pap smear before my treatment with the MonaLisa Touch?

Having a PAP smear prior to treatment is NOT required but is recommended that you continue preventive health with your primary care physician or OB/Gyn.

Is the MonaLisa Touch laser treatment painful?

The purpose of the MonaLisa Touch laser treatment is to relieve menopause symptoms including painful intercourse, feminine dryness, itching and burning, and painful urination. Although some patients had pain, most described it as uncomfortable due to their symptoms rather than the treatment itself.

Why do I need an annual MonaLisa Touch treatment?

The best answer is “protect your investment”. Although you returned to normal health after 3 treatments, symptoms will return over time as they would with age or other causes. Studies have shown the optimal time between “maintenance” treatments is 12 months.

How does the MonaLisa Touch feel during the treatment?

Patient sensation varies for every individual. I have been told that it’s similar to the sensation of jets in a hot tub. Others have described it as a snapping sensation, warm pulses, or pinching. The biggest complaint has been the pain caused by inserting the probe much like the pain they have been experiencing during intercourse.

What does it feel like after the treatment with the MonaLisa Touch?

Following treatment, patients have said that it feels the same as it would after having intercourse. It’s a similar sensation to recent intimacy.

When can I expect results?

Some patients have reported immediate results while others have said it was the second treatment having significant improvement. Following the third treatment, patients returned to normal feminine health.

Will my health insurance cover the MonaLisa Touch laser treatment?

Health insurance does not cover this treatment. The MonaLisa Touch is considered an “elective” treatment.

Why Am I Experiencing These Symptoms?

Declining estrogen levels often leave the tissues in the vaginal area thinner, dryer, and less elastic. Menopause is one of the most common reasons women experience a drop in estrogen levels, but patients who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation also may see an estrogen decline.

About MonaLisa Touch

This treatment uses laser energy pulses to rejuvenate the vaginal area by kick-starting new collagen production and new blood vessel development. As a result, vaginal tissues become healthier, firmer, and tauter. Natural lubrication is restored, and blood more easily flows to the area.

How Long Does It Take for MonaLisa Touch to Work?

One of the great things about this treatment is that it works quickly. For most patients, we recommend three treatments, each of which is spaced about six weeks apart. Patients often notice some initial improvement after their very first appointment, and their results continue to develop after the second and third sessions.

About Treatment

This simple treatment is very similar to your annual gynecological exam. You’ll lay on your back in the same position, and a numbing cream will be applied. A wand will be used to direct laser energy pulses toward your vagina, gently treating its interior as well as the exterior tissues.

What Benefits Does This Treatment Offer?

Changes in a woman’s vaginal health often begin slowly and then gradually encroach more and more on her lifestyle. Once a patient has undergone this treatment, she’s often surprised at how many ways she feels better, more comfortable, and more able to enjoy life. Here are some of the benefits associated with this laser treatment:

What Other Treatment Options Are Available?

For years, women coping with vaginal health issues had very few treatment choices. Topical ointments and tablets are an option, but those can be messy and may not work. Hormone replacement therapy is also an option, and some women try pelvic floor exercises.

Am I a Good Candidate?

If you’re interested in MonaLisa Touch, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Karen Allsup, who founded our practice. Dr. Allsup is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been practicing in San Antonio since 2006.

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